Classic wide leg pants?

[rubyredlocks]

Ladies where have you had the best luck finding nice wide leg pants?Preferably new and in a store. I've seen some that look like they'll be perfect,but once they're on the look is more 70s than 40s.
I'd like some for work once spring hits to wear with little puff sleeve blouses and wedges just as an alternative from my usual skirt or dress ensembles.
I have 1 authentic gab pair from the 40s in a lovely pumpkin color that I need to get re-seamed and some alterations done,but finding the originals is very difficult.

 

[Miss Neecerie]

I like Ann Taylor loft.

I make no guarantees to -how- authentic vintage looking they are...but they have several 'models' that are real waist wasted...and wide legged.

 

[D-Day-Doll]

I just bought some of these pants from Metrostyle. Not all that authentic, but at least they're a wide-leg silhouette. Also they are quite cheap. Some of the colors, like the hunter green, are 40's looking.

http://www.metrostyle.com/product.aspx?PfId=71635&DeptId=8752&producttypeid=1&PurchaseType=G

http://www.metrostyle.com/product.aspx?PfId=40616&DeptId=8975&producttypeid=1&PurchaseType=G

 

[Miss_Bella_Hell]

How does Metrostyle's sizing run? I suspect they would run large?

 

[GOK]

Do you have Oasis over there? I know it was selling WLP over here a few weeks ago, so might be worth a try.

 

[lindylady]

I like Ann Taylor loft.

I make no guarantees to -how- authentic vintage looking they are...but they have several 'models' that are real waist wasted...and wide legged.

Yeah, Ann Taylor Loft is good. Go to the store and try the pants on. Then, order them from their website when they're marked down. I've purchased very vintage-looking sailor pants for $29 as opposed to $89 in the store.

 

[thebadmamajama]

fake-o pants

I don't know if this helps or not, but I get my swing dance wide leg sailor pants from www.dancestore.com and I absolutely love them. Click on the side for "women's clothing." They're not vintage, but they sure look sharp on the dancefloor when dressed up vintage style! I'm interested to see what else is out there--they create such an elegant shape!

 

[GOK]

Those sailor pants are great - shame they are low rise though. However, I'm sorely tempted, especially as they'd be long enough for me! Thanks for the link TBMJ.

 

[Avalon]

I have those pants from Metrostyle and they are terrific! Their sizing is very true and their clothing is made extremely well. I second the recommendation!

 

[Tough Cookie]

http://jpeterman.com/product.asp?pn=1067

I've not bought from the company (yet), but these look interesting.

But I don't think I'd carry off the pleats very well.

Interesting catalog.

 

[jitterbugdoll]

I usually have good luck with the City Crepe line at New York and Company--this season's model is a little low-waisted on me (I have a long waist), but would work well for a more petite frame.

 

[Rebecca D]

Vivien of Holloway makes nice 1940s repros.

http://www.vivienofholloway.com/

She's a bit slow at shipping, but I like the trousers. They're certainly not the finest quality, but they're not the low rise, stretch fabric cheapos you find on a lot of the rockabilly and swing dance stores, either. If you get them I would order up a size and have them altered, because the sizes are a bit strange.

I also saw a pair of super wide-legged trousers in the Anthropologie catalog, but I'm not sure how high the waist is.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

The Viv of Holloway trousers are also very very short. At least 3-4 inches too short for me, but my inside leg is 33-34ish.

 

[Elaina]

Muwhaha, I can wear low rise pants AND make them look normal, even with recreating a waist in a different spot then where my waist really IS.

I've only got 5 inches between my natural waist and my hips...all the "low rise" just fits where normal pants are supposed to. But the 40's look is underbust, so it may not be that good.

 

[GOK]

The Viv of Holloway trousers are also very very short. At least 3-4 inches too short for me, but my inside leg is 33-34ish.

According to some of my clients, she is very reluctant to actually make garments to fit too. It seems that as far as she is concerned, you buy off the peg and take your chance. I've not had any dealings with her but if this is true, frankly, I think it is the wrong attitude. But then perhaps that's why some of her (former) clients now come to me!

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

According to some of my clients, she is very reluctant to actually make garments to fit too. It seems that as far as she is concerned, you buy off the peg and take your chance. I've not had any dealings with her but if this is true, frankly, I think it is the wrong attitude. But then perhaps that's why some of her (former) clients now come to me!

I emailed her about a year abo to ask that very question, and she replied saying that she would make them to order, but that she couldn't give me any clue as to how long they would take. She suggested me sending in a cheque and that when she next did a special order she would "try to fit it in" and that my cheque wouldn't be cashed until they were done. So I didn't bother! I have found another person who makes the same trousers now. How much would you charge for such a pair of pants Gok, just out of interest? (Will PM you if you'd prefer!)

 

[GOK]

I emailed her about a year abo to ask that very question, and she replied saying that she would make them to order, but that she couldn't give me any clue as to how long they would take. She suggested me sending in a cheque and that when she next did a special order she would "try to fit it in" and that my cheque wouldn't be cashed until they were done. So I didn't bother!

My goodness, that is outrageous! I don't want to belittle her but an attitude like that is so unprofessional. If she'd advised that the waiting list was x amount of weeks, that would have been better but to basically say she'd do it when she got around to it, stinks. And to suggest you paid up front too? A deposit I can understand but even then, one has to give the client an idea of how long s/he can expect to wait. I am so shocked.

I have found another person who makes the same trousers now.

Oohh who is that? Are they UK based? I saw a girl on Ebay in the States that makes sailor style pants, which look nice but obviously I don't know what the quality is like and rather annoyingly, I don't know her seller name either. Not much help am I really?

How much would you charge for such a pair of pants Gok, just out of interest? (Will PM you if you'd prefer!)

Generally speaking, £50 unless the client wants a hugely expensive fabric, in which case, they'd be more! I know they are more expensive than Viv's but I do take my clients' measurements into consideration and I'm always happy for them to come to me for fittings. I even arrange to meet them in London if I am going to be there anyway! I do believe that client and maker should work together, not that the sempstress is always right! I want my clients to be very satisfied...then recommend me to their friends! lol

Bartenders - if that last paragraph breaches the etiquette of the Lounge, I apologise. Please remove it if necessary.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Oohh who is that? Are they UK based? I saw a girl on Ebay in the States that makes sailor style pants, which look nice but obviously I don't know what the quality is like and rather annoyingly, I don't know her seller name either. Not much help am I really?

It's a girl called Shona (from NZ but here now) whose website http://pinstripeandpolka.com/ is not really very informative yet, but hers are well made and nice and long too. She will hem them to whatever length you like with either a turnup or a normal hem. Hers are also £50 to order, but I'm kicking myself for not buying a pair when I met her because it's £45 if you buy them from a show/event. But saying that she told me that she thought the ones I tried on could be improved upon, size-wise, so the ones I am getting are adapted a bit. So it seems the best people to buy from are those who actually care what their customers look like when wearing their clothes!! Gok I might well have to arrange another pair with you (when Xmas buying is out of the way!) because I just know they would be wonderful.

 

[Fleur De Guerre]

Actually, can't believe I forgot until now, but this lady was at the same show - http://www.customclothes.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=BF-LT - and hers seem very well made too, and obviously, again, made to order; and a little bit different. Rubbish website again though.

 

[GOK]

Ahh yes, I'm familiar with Shona's stuff - I love that brown frock. The other website is...interesting! Still I can talk - I still haven't got either of mine done yet. Still, I have a guy in the States to design my retro one - I just need to get some time to go through what I want with him! Why aren't there more hours in the day?

Oh and if you're wondering, I have my laptop in my atelier, so I can just wheel my chair over when needs be! lol